Ground gripped by battle of the codes

The group that lobbied for the Bulldogs to return to Belmore Sports Ground has issued a heartfelt plea to end the public bickering over the use of the ground.

Back To Belmore president Luke Brailey said sporting groups from every code had a moral obligation to work together to ensure that Belmore Sports Ground reached its potential as a sporting venue.

The statement comes after a week of the Bulldogs defending their use of the ground for training while it was closed to games.

It was reported in the Sydney media that Sydney Olympic FC had lost $60,000 in revenue after being forced to relocate five home games since the ground was closed.

Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg and coach Des Hasler denied any wrongdoing on the part of the club.

Sydney Olympic president George Giannaros said the Bulldogs' use of the ground was a sign of disrespect to his club and code.

Canterbury Council has closed the ground to games at least until another inspection on August 21.

The council has spent $10,000 resowing the field with ryegrass and protecting the damaged area with sand and a turf cover.

General Manager Jim Montague said there had been "limited occasions" on which the Bulldogs had not complied with the order to train only on the undamaged edges of the ground, and had run on the damaged portion.

"The council regrets the inconvenience caused to both clubs," he said.